Apparatus for compressing fibrous or other material.



No. 630,374. Patented Aug. 8, |899. G, A. LOWRY. APPARATUS F08 CUIPRESSING FIBROUS 0B UTI-IER MATERIAL.

.Appuminn am any 29. 189s.;

3 Sheets-Shut I.

Wo Modeln Georgejilowry,

y L iii l`.. i -l/ s A j w .Ulwlli i 1 No. 636,374. Patented Aug. 8, |899. G. A. LDWRY. APPARATUS FOR COMPBESSING FIBROUS UR OTHER MATERIAL.

phcation lsd Lidy 29. 1899 3 Sheeis--Shaet 2.

No Model.)

Vz'tzsseS: wentor:

Geozyclowr No. 630,374. Patented Aug. 8, 899. G. A. LOWRY.

APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING FIBRUUS 0R OTHER MATERIAL.

Applicntiun ld May 29, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

'('Nn Model.)

Wvsses: J'nveuor.-

GEORGE A. LO\VRY, OF CIHCAGO, ILLINOLS, ASSIGNGR T 'THE PLANTERS COMPRESS COMPANY, OF BSTGN, 'MSSACIUSET APPARATUS FOR QMPRESSiNG FiBROUS GR' GTi-3ER M''Elili-i..

SBECIFICATIN foming part of Letters Patent No, 686,374, dated .engust E, i899.

y vApplication filed May 29, 1899. Burial No. 718,848. CND model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

13e it known that I, GEORGE A. LownY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofyllinois,'have invented n new and useful Appsrntus for Compressing Fibrous or other Material, of which the following is a specification.

lhis invention relates to appa-rains for com pressing fibrous or other material.

The object of the invention is to improve the construction and arrangement of the slotted feed head or cap, whereby the feed of the material to be compressed may be regnlated to snit the conditions and kinds of suoli material. l

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists, substantially', in the construction, combination, location, and re1ative arrangement of parts, all ns will be more fui-ly hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and to the various views and reference-signs appearing thereon, Figure 1 is a View, partly in elevation and partly in central section; of n compressing op arntns, showing a. feed cap orhend applied t erste. Fig. 2 is a top plan View of n forlnof esp or head embodying the prinoiples of my invention. Fig. 2 is a similnr'view of another form of cap or head embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 3 is n similar View, somewhat in diagram,

, illustrating a slightly different arrangement of feed-slots embraced within the scopo of my invention. Fig. 4 is e. view similar to Fig. 3, illustratingin diagram an arrangement wherein the slots are curved in the direction of their length. Fig. is a broken detail view in sec tion on tile line 5 5, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is adeiaohed detail .'ie'w in plan of a. plat-e or section employed in one form of cap or head embody. ing my invention. Fig. 7 is a similar View of a strengthening-block." Figs. 8 and 8 are diagrams illustrating the feeding otion of the material through .the feedslots in the cap or head with different arrangements oi slots.

Figs. 9,10, and ll are views similar to Figs.

and i, showing dillerent arrangements of .eitlierpne or both of those parte.

ieod-slos in ille @op or liend. Fig. i2 is n broken detail sectional View on the line 6 6, Fig. 2. Fig. 13 is a similar View on the line The same part is designated by 'the same reference-sign wherever i'oeenrs throng-gianni., the several views.

In my Patents Nos, SlgOO sind 58i,i01, gran ted April 29, 1897, :and in my pending an pli.eation,Serial No. 682,9'17Jiled lime i?, i838, I have described and claimed an apparatus forc'ompressing cotton and other librerie matel rial in which is employed a chamber or holder open at both ends and a lolted @op or iiesd for one end of said ohamoer, illes@ parte loeing mounted for relative rotation. in tne operation of a heling nppnrnns embodying these generic features the e'narniier is first filled by hand or otherwise to forni e sniiioient bod y.l Then by imparting a relative rotation to the chamberv and cap and supplying' tiie material to be eompressedto oradjnoent to the slot or slots in the csp snob material is caught or engaged by the material previously introduced into the ehamber ,and is drown into suoli chamber and eompressed and formed into condensed spiral, layers, the body 'of the material eontnined in the being sugmentedendwise oy oooh spirni layer thus added thereto end eorrespondingiy winced through il e elinmifer,y iinniiy emerging from the chars er in tiio form of n. column in n highly' condensed or compressed etnie, and itis set forth in said pntenis and nppiication that the relative rotation of the sham-f ber and cap might bev seonred by 'missing pres ent inventiongrelates to apparatus operating substantially as above set forth and embodies improvements in the constrnniion ofthe ap or head and in the arrangement of ine feed slots Lherein i Referringto tlasdrswings,reerem; sgoin., designates Lheloiismbor or iin-loer opeY et nein ends, sind B designates genersliy slotied cap or head. These parts ars'inminisd for relative movement. For instanee, inthe par iionlar form shown ilie oiia'miser is mounted for rotation and is rotated tbrongii gear C? from ang/suitable sonroe of power, s'iiiis ine slotted can is held sintionary npsn fiile snpn portingi'rsineworlr.

The first feature of my invention to which i reference will be made is the providing of a' plurality of slots in the cap or head. Ihave found that by providing the cap or head with a pluralityof slotsinstead of vone'and through each of which material is supplied t the chamber or holder not only is the capacity of the machne multiplied in accordance with the increase in the number of slot-s, but such Y chamber or holderin several distinct separate capacity is multiplied without any perceptible increase in the power required to run the machine and without vadditional wear upon the cap and at the same time maintaining or producing in the machine substantially the same degree of compression as if only one or two slots were employed. Moreover, in a machine employing a plurality of slots in the cap through each of whichlnaterial is introduced to the machine the materialis con-- stantly added to the mass contained in the layers. Consequently the length of time du ring and thedistance through which each layer travels in contact with the under surface of the cap is only a small fraction of the time or distance of travel of such material in contact with such surface in the case of a single' slot-that is, each 'layer introduced through any particular slot bears upon the under surface of the cap only until it arrives adjacent to the next slot, where a new layer of material is introduced between the under surface of the cap and the first -Amentioned layer.

.Therefore before any particular layer can acquire an undesirable degree of heat through frictional contact with the under surface of the cap it is covered by a new layer of ma` terial introduced through the next slot, which new layer of material is cool, and therefore tends to prevent theexcessive heating that would result if the first layer of the compressed material were carried all the way around in contact with the under surface of the cap. Thus the cap is kept cool and the use of a water-jacket or other cooling device is avoided. In the drawings I have indicated a plurality of slotsin accordance with the principles of my invention. The slots may be formed through a solid plate or cap, as indicated in Fig. 2". or they may be formed by special constructions and arrangements of the cap, as will be more fully hereinafter dcscribed. y

The next feature of myinvention to which reference will now be made is the arrangement of the slots in the cap or head with reference to the relative movement of the chamillustrated, if the inner ends of the slots-' that is, the ends nearest the center of the capterminate at a point to the right of the center-as shown, forinstance', in Figs. 2, 8, 10, and ll-then every point in the surface of the material contained in the chamber which is in contact with the under surface of the cap travels past each slot in a line the direction or trend of which is'toward the inner end of the slotthat is, toward the axialcenter of the chamber-it being understood that all points of the surface of the material, nnder'the condition stated, move in lines con centric with the axis of rotation of the chamber. This result is indicated in Fig. 8*,wherein th. arrows or lines crossing the slots a indicatc the direction and line of travel of the material past the slots, and from an inspection of these crossing arrows and lines it will v ,be seen that the direction or trend thereof is layer or sheet, it will be seen that in thevar-4 rangement of slots as above describedthat is, slots having their inner ends terminating on the right-hand side of the center of the oepthe direction or trend of the draw or feed of the material through the slot is from the outer and toward the inner endof such slot. '[he effect of this is to tend to carry. thema- IOO terial toward the center of the bale. If, however, the inner ends of the slots terminate at a point to the left-hand`side of. the center of the cap-thatis, on the near side thereof wit-h reference to-the direction of travel of the material, as indicated in Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 8- then every point in the surface of the Watcrial contained in the chamberwhich is inpontactwith the u nder surface of the cap,which, moving in lines or circles concentric with the axis or rotation of the chamber, travels past the'slot in a linev the direction or trend of which is toward the outerend of the slot-,'- that is, the end of the slot farthest from the axial center 'of the chamber. This trend is indicated by the lines or arrows shown crossing the slots a in Fig! S. l The effect of this trend in the drawing action exerted upon the material while beiugfed into the machine through the slots is to cause the same to draw toward the outer end of the slot and away from the center or'axis of rotation of theV Doug: we 3 trzwel in circles concentric with the exis of rotation of the chamber, and hence in lines normal or nt right angles to the radici slots. i From the foregoing description it will be eeen that by varying the position of the slot or slots, eo that they are more or less inclined ln one or the other direction with relation to the line of travel o't' thematerial across it, i om enabled to vary the trend or direction of iced of the inateriel through the slots, as mcy ho 'desired to suit different kinds, natures, conditions, or qualities of material. It )viii eine be seen that when the slots terminate et their inner ende on one side of the center or axis ci rotetion'ef the mattei-iai nud extend therefrom itt an angle to a radius of the oep parsing through the-outer end of-snid slot the trend of draw is in one direction-that is, toward or eway from the center, as the caso mayhewliile il' such slots terminate on the opposite side of the center or axis then the trend of draw or feed is in the opposite direction. This crowding er trend of draw of the material will be readily understood upon 13mm" enti of tile niet inspection of the diagrams Figs. 8 and 8. As indicated in Fig. 8, it will he seen that the line ci travel of the material across the clot is somewhat diagonal with respect to the elct-that is, take any particular point in the nurfeee of the materiel and it approaches the neer edge of the alot at a. point nearer the inner end thereof than that at which it leaves the for edge-wherea's the reverse of this is the case in Fig. 8", and hy carrying the arr glo of vthe clot with reference to the line of trewei ot the meteriai the drew of the meterini ie cerrespondingiy varied, the medial pceition being attained when the slot is truiy retdial. it will cleo he eeen that by this er1A rangement the distribution of the materiel through the slots ie also regulated. in the foregoing description l have located the im ner ends ci the slots with reference to the center of the cern-that is, as being on the rightfinmd or for side or on the ieft-hand or neer cido of such center with reference to the iine of travel of the motorini. 'lhisidea may be expressed in a. waysuch ns to npplygcnerY ically to the location of the slots, whether ter initiating on one side or the other of the cen-- for instance, hy Saying that the .i inciiiied io t pinne i* 'right :inglesi to 'if imc et irnvciof the:nnterurimtha't is, inclined too militie ci ilse con 'passing through the ythin expression being zar-.ieri to deecriie tno locati of the siete tether iiiirniinitti ibi course other in "i to dce/critic the come netflix. einge. fiction einen the materiel while being introduced through the slots, as above explained, I have found to be the saine-that is, either toward or away from the center of the chamber or holder, according es the slots terminate at their inner ends on one side or the other ofthe centerwhether such slots are straight, es shown in Figs. :2, 2, 3, 9, and 10, or whether they are curved in the direction of their length; as shown in Figs. 4 and 11, the arrows indicat- -ing the direction or trend of such drew.

By reason of the increasing radius of the circles or travel of the surface of the material toward the outer ende of the slotsit will be eeen that in the cese of slots which are straight throughout their length the angle of travel of the material past the slots and relative thereto varies, such linee of travel intersecting the slots more acutely nearer the center or axis of rotation and less acutely toward'the outer ends of the slots,or,to express the sameidea in another why, the siete when inclined, as above described, and terminating on one aide or the other of the center or axis of rotation are more nearly tangential at their Ainner ends to the circles or lines of travel of the material'end are more nearly normal or at right angles to such lines of travel at their'outer ends, time giving a varying drawing or dietributingeffeet at different points in the length of the slot. If, however, it is desired to maintain the angle of the slot to the path of travel of the material substantially constant throughout the length of the slot, then the curved slots may be employed.

in the foregoing description l have described the invention as applied in the case where the chamber or holder rotates and the cap is held stationary. The seme principles apply in the cese where thechamber or holder is station ary and the ccp revolves, Where the chamber is stationary and the eep revolves in a direction opposite to that in which the chamber revel vos, as ohove described, the slots oc copy the same rclnt-ive positions ns explained above with reference to the revolving cham her; out it may be desired to revolve the cap in the same direction as that above described with reference to the chamber. In such case the slots will oceu py the reverse positions with respect to those above describedthat is, whore it is desired that the trend of the drawing action exerted upon the material to feed the Seme through the slots is to lie outwardly from the center, then the .slots should termi'j nate on the right-hand side of the center ot thc rotutiug cap, :ind if itis desired that such trend 'oc toward the center tiren the slots nhl icimiunte et e point on, the lefthand te of the conter of the cap. in practice prefer to employ a rotating chamber and n airy cup' and that the slots in the cap ete ut their inner ends et :i point te the the center et' the cap. ig. ir i have shown the siete formed in id can. .in other views of the drawings KIQ me .chown n. different cmietruction of cup,

ltorni the cap in sections.

which possesses desirable advantages and which is included in the scope of my invention.

In the operation et -a compressing apparatus of thc class to which this invention relates and as above explained the material to be compressed is supplied adjacent to the slots in the cap and is caught or engaged by the mass of material in the chamber and drawn through the slots in a thin sheet 0r layer. Now in order that the material may be brought into sulliciently close proximity to the surface of the mass of material within the chamber or holder to be efficiently caught orcngaged thereby lt is desirable that thc cap be made as thin as possible, and since the cap operates as an 'abutment for one end of the mass of material contained in the chamber, and hence plays an important part in the operation of advancing and compressing the material, it will bc seen that it is necessary to so construct the cap that it will eliiciently withstand the wear and strains imposed thereou. In order to provide aconstruction wherein these objects are attained in an economical and efficient manner, I may, if desired and as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, G, 7, il, 10, and 11,

'10 this end I provide the comparatively thin plates or sect ions F, so relatively arranged as when assembled edge to edge to form a cap or head to completely cover the open end of the chamber or holder. These sections or plates are assembled edge to edge to form the cap, the edge l of one section being suitably formed-as, for

instance, with projections or shoulders (1i-- to tit in corresponding seats or rabbets Il, (see Fig. 6,) formed on thc approximate edge of the adjacent section or plate, thereby suitably otsetting said edges to leave the 1`ecdslot al therebetween. That edge of the seetion or plrte which constitutes the near edge of the slot may,if desired,bc suitably rounded or beveled o, as shown at b, Figs. 5 and (i, to facilitate the passage of the material into and through the slot. Similarly, to secure best results the under surface of thatedge of a section or plate which constitutes the far edge or compressinf-lip of theslot is rounded, beveled, or inclincttoward the under surface of the plate or section, thereby forminga contracting throat, as shown at c, this also aiding and facilitating the feed of the material through the slot and the condensation thereof into a thin sheet or layer. The shape of the meeting edges of the sections or plates may be varied according to whethcrit is desired to form straight or curved slots., as clearly shown in the drawings, and when said plates or sections are suitably assembled they may be secured in proper position and relation, as by moans ofthe bolts M, to the framework or to an annular frame l{,which is in turn bolted or secured to the framework in the case where the cap revolves. In thus forming the cap in sections they may be iliade compara tively thin, thus enabling the material to.

be brought into close proximity to the masscontained in the chamber, and hence insuring an entangling ofthe tibersof the material to be t'ed with those of thematerial in the chamber,thus insnringan eicient feed thereof through the slots. Moreovei-,by makingthe sections or plates in d uplicate ot 'each other in case of breakage repairs may be easily and expe litiously made by replacing the broken section or plate without necessitating replacementof the entire cap. In order to etliciently brace the sections or plates of 'the cap and to give them suflicient rigidity and strength to resist thc pressure exerted thereon, I may provide the brace-blocks L and suitably bolt or otherwise secure the same upon the scctions or plates. In the forni shown the securing-bolts M, by which the sections or plates are fastened to the framing or to the spider l{,are also arranged to pass through the braceblocks, thus securely bolting the brace blocks or ribs to the plates or sections. The ends ot' the brace-blocks' presented toward the center of the cap should be somewhat tapered and rounded or beveled oit at the sides, as indicated at fg, in order that the materialsupplied to the cap may bc permitted to approach into close proximity to the slots.

It will be observed that the slots (t do not extend entirely to the center of the cap, and hence undue twisting of the material at the center of the bale is avoided and the cap is not unduly weakened at that point. This arrangement also results in the formation of a longitudinal central opening at the axis or middle of the bale, and, if desired, an opening, as indicated at J, may be provided at the center ot the cap, thus atfording access to the central hole or opening through thebale. 'lhc slots u preferably extend toward the periphery of the cap a distance such as to expose the innersurfacc or wall of the chamber, and they should also be s'uiliciently narrow in transverse width ordimension to prevent the compressed material contained in the chamber or holder from raising therein, so as to form a shoulder or ridge between the lips of the slot high enough to otter undue resistance tothe relativo movement of the chamber and cap or to' prevent the ready entrance of the loose material into and through the slot This width is in practice varied within certain limits according to the length ot tiber of the'nuttcrial being compressed and the degrec of density. A comparatively narrow slot facilitates a high degree of compression of the -niatoi-ial. 'lhus far in pgactiee my experimentshave indicated that the slots should be from about one-quarter to about threel quarters of aul inch iu width, \Vith what is known as short Japie or upland" cottonabout nine-sixteenthsot an inch hasbcen found satisfactory.

lly rounding or lieveling the sides or brace ribs or blocks L, as affg, or by beveliug oi inclining the surface of the sections F-of the cap orof the surface cfa solid cap, as at. b2 b.

IOC

emana 5 Figo. iii anni i3, on oppoeiio siien of ille slots it, wiii 'neocon lhetihe maiiorini. enppiioli to the cnp is ilireolicii toward the slot anal into proxixnihy to the nnraeo of material in the charn- 5 hor, ne above oxgilnineii, me fneiiitnting the engjngemenb the icono materiel by ine mer teria! in the ehnznher, nini hence insuring en ciiicient feed.

iveny speoiieeiiy fiiiereni; arrangements me be devised. for ooooiep'iehing the esired n tn :shove unimi, nn many variations nud einfangen in. he oe'fis of conetrnction .and arranger eniwonid ro ihe :ir-i sind stili tion. i sie noi r noni prenni ngz ihrone or eier for ihe nal of eniii ,tement for "ne .nl reinnively iwnl, n een for one end of sei i forming abnimen for wird, menne for reiniiveiy fr, Sain ccp pron mrnlilzy oi sioe iiierein, the

of each eine being inclined ipreeeing fibrous or 'einen 'wih a einen; e L mi ihereoi, cap w ined rrhh n e or more openings or slots, o; .l ci which inclined iioa radine of the een rnoning from ine outer end of the elot to l. ehe nep, and ineens for re'lutiveiy ,meer nini can, ne emi for one @he :inne deecribed, the

Lmmer or hohier, of n Lherno, @nid oep provided l ci e, y sin one eide of the mi n moine or radii einer nni slot or r reina-voi); rainning seid sie een for ihn on rpose een in n. :nerim-o in# nonipreneing fibrous or anni, me inner ends of seid ,K

other materiel, a cap or abntmen b, and means for meeting ehe mass of compressed material in contant Lherewith, said. abutments being provided with one or more slots extending from near the middle to near the periphery thereof, seid sios being inclined to the path of travel of the compressed material past them, to eect the esi red distribution of the motorini entering the slots, substantially as' ami for the purpose een forizhn in 1n n nmchine for compreseing fibrous materiel, n rhsmher or .holder for' the mass of compressed material, n cap or head, against the inner fioriere of whioh one ond of the compressed material conminedin said beider contacto, seid oep provided with one or more sione, the width. between the lips of which is nsuiiicienb to permit. the compressed material to rise therein, :m the under surface of the com pressing edge of which is inclined to werd the under surface of said oep, the outer surface of the cap on each aide of each slot being inclined toward said Blot, and means for causing e relntixie movement'. of the cap and chamber, Substantially as and for the purpose eet, forth.

7. In e machine for compressing brons material, 'n chamber or holder, a. cap having ono or more openings or slots formed therein, the ou ter sn rfnce of said cap on opposite vsides of eaoli niet or opening being inclined toward said sini; or opening, and 'menne for relatively rotating seidehainnemnd cap, es and for the purpose een forth,

.A nia-onine for ooinpieseing fibrous ma tex-ini oomprieing n chamber fornxngn holder for the cempreese meteriai, n cap for one end of snic member forming en abutment; for the compressori materiel therein, ineens for producing rotary movementof one of seid eier-nenes: relative to the other, seid cap boing provided with e pinrelity of inlet-openings, euch in ihe form of. a sich, the oompreeing edge of each inleirsiot being incined' oward the inner Surface of seid cap and the ont-er surface ci the cap converging toward the edges ci eeen wiet-slot, substantially as and for the pnrpoee not ferilli.

9. ,in n innehine for compressing fibrous motorini, n chamber, u cap having an open ing or elet therein, the outer surface of said capon opposite sides of said slot being inollnef toward said slot, and the compressing edge or lip of fmid slot being inclined towerd the inner surface of said csp, and moans for reintively rotating said chamber and cap, ae und for the pn rpose set forth.

1Q in n. machine o! the class described, the combination with u chamber or hider, of a oep for one end thereof, snif?. cap provided with one or inoreeloie, enen arranged to one eie of e radius drawn from ehe center of the oep 'io the outer end of said slot, and menus for rointiveiy rotating eine rimmber and cap, es and for the purpose soi; 'io-Nh.

11. In a, machineof me .e zneribed, the combination with n ehem f, cui' n een ifo-irons ICO \ end thereof, said cap having one or more slots therein, each slot terminating at its inner end at a point on the left-hand side of the center of the cap, and means for relatively locating r said chamber and cap, as and for the purpose set forth. f

1i. In a machine of the class described, a chamber, a cap for one end thereof, said cap provided with one or more slots, said slots bezo ing curved in the direction of thelength thereof, and means for relatively rotating said cap and chamber, as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In a machine of the class described, a chamber, a cap for one end thereof,said cap :5f made in sections, and means for relatively rotating said cap and chamber, as and for the purpose set forth.

' 14. In a machine of the class descri-bed, a chamber, a cap for one end of said chamber,

zo said cap com posed of sections arranged edge ing blocks or braces secu red to said sections or plates, and means for relatively rotating said chamber and cap, as and for the purpose set forth.

16. In an apparatus of the class described,v

a feed-cap comprising plates or sections arranged edge to edge and having their inner ends presenting toward a common center, means for securing said ends together, said plates or sections being offset from each other to form feed-slots, as and for the purpose set forth.

17. In a machine for compressing fibrous material, a cap or abutment, and means for rotating a mass of compressed material in contact therewith, said abutment being composed of a main annular frame or head, and a plate composed of anumberof sections, each securely fastened to said annular frame, the edges of said sections being formed to produce slots in the plate or cover composed of said sections, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

18. In a machine for compressing fibrous material, a cap or abutment, and means for rotating a mass of compressed material in contact therewith, said abutment being composed of a main annular frame or head, and a plate composed of a number of sections, each securely fastened to said annular frame, the edges of said sections being formed to produce slots in the plate or cover composed of said sections, and reinforcing blocks or ribs overlying said sections of the cap-plate, substantially as described.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 27th day of May, 1899, in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE A. LOlVRY. 

